13 January 2008

"Usana Health Sciences shares soared Friday after the nutritional and skin care products company said the Securities and Exchange Commission had closed its inquiry into the company's marketing model.

Shares jumped $13.91, or 39.1 percent, to $49.48 Friday.

In addition to closing its inquiry, Usana said the SEC didn't take any action against the company. The investigation began after a San Diego-based investigator, Barry Minkow, accused Usana of fraud and said its direct-marketing business model was a pyramid scheme.

Goldman Sachs analyst Simeon Gutman said the closure of the SEC inquiry 'should further put to rest any remaining concerns about the integrity of Usana's business model.'"